Sparta fifth grader reaches martial arts milestone

Sparta - He is an athlete and looks like one. He is poised, yet comical, confident, yet humble. He holds his own in conversations with peers, as well as with adults. He’s “one of the guys,” but wouldn’t hesitate to hold the door open for a lady. Teachers love him; coaches want him. His father has immense respect for him, describing his son proudly as “a really nice, little kid, who likes everyone.” The kid is Brian Porter, fifth grade student at Mohawk Avenue School and recent junior Black Belt recipient. On Sunday, April 2, Porter achieved Junior black belt status, receiving the award at the annual Oak Ridge Martial Arts Academy banquet. The principles of the black belt, which recipients are expected to uphold, are courtesy, honesty, integrity, perseverance, self control, humility, loyalty, and sportsmanship - words that, according to Sensei Matt Van Wolput, are synonymous with Porter’s own character. Van Wolput also credited Porter’s success to his upbringing and the influence of his parents, Brian and Nancy Porter. “Brian’s composure is a combination of upbringing and martial arts. He has great parents with strong values and principles. They lead by example, and go by their word. Martial arts reinforce these principles, develop confidence, and discipline the mind to stay on track. Brian is a responsible child who has great values,” said Van Wolput. According to Brian’s father, it was a long and arduous road to reaching one of the highest achievements within the martial arts. The senior Porter recalls his son taking his first class at age four and refusing to return. “He didn’t like it at first, so we let it go, and then one day he said he wanted to go back to the class. After that, he never looked back, he just went forward from that day on,” said the senior Porter. The young martial arts student has even committed his summer vacations to karate. He is on the Special Winning Attitude Team, which is a group of students selected from the academy’s program to host demonstrations and participate at various events. In addition, his dedication has earned him a position on the Special Team of Role Models, students who assist in the class and are personal coaches to new students. “He is constantly looking to improve,” said Van Wolput, “and striving to impress his instructors. He is looked up to from all the students here at the Dojo, as well as from parents of other students. He is constantly here helping other students, helping the instructors, and ultimately helping himself grow to be a great, contributing person in society.” During his speech at the banquet, upon being honored with his black belt status, Porter remained true to his character and thanked all who helped him in his karate journey. Also true to character was his statement and philosophy on life, “Karate has shown me that quitters never win and winners never quit,” said the younger Porter. “And remember, a black belt is a white belt that never quit.”